CA: Politics suspected in building code choice - Critics: Changes Would Be Costly (Stinko Alert!)

A California commission has picked a new state building code favored by a firefighters union that is among the biggest donors to Gov. Gray Davis' anti-recall campaign.

Well, there's no question that this was decided as a matter of political patronage, but this may also be a case of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. The update to NFPA 101 probably is, on balance, a better approach vs. the IBC's current draft.

The real scandal in the California state code adoption process occured two years ago when the model code provisions for plastic plumbing piping were modified as a sop to the plumbing unions. In that instance, we had a case of doing the wrong thing for the wrong reason.

Hey Norm:

SEAOC (Structural Engineering Association of California) supported the IBC, because it is based on the experience of the UBC, BOCA and the Southern Building Code. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has been wanting special provisions added to the IBC which did not get adopted, hence the problem. So the NFPA lobbied Davis to get the very new NFPA5000 code accepted.

The NFPA5000 code is also preferred by the plumber's union (one reason, it prohibits PVC piping in structures). The plumber's unions gave over $200,000 to Davis to get re-elected and Davis (true to form) appointed a former head of the plumber's union to the code committee (go figure!!!!).

FYI, the fire fighting member of the board has been rumored never to have been actually involved in any type of code activities prior to his appointment which in the Davis world makes him perfect to make code decisions.

Lastly, I wonder why the commission suddenly after being two years late in adopting a new code chose the NFPA5000 code now? Could it be it is due to the recall??? Could Davis be so corrupt that he would trade public safety for union support???? Say it aint so JOE!!!

Diamond Don

Davis is working on his legacy!

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